this study investigated the effect of applying the dynamic system theory (dst) and cognitive linguistics (cl) insights into grammar instruction on efl learners’ learning of english prepositions and learner autonomy. sixty iranian efl learners at the lower-intermediate level of language proficiency were randomly assigned to 1 experimental and 1 control group. the 2 groups filled out an autonomy ...

The goal of this study is to reintegrate the theory of generative grammar into the cognitive sciences. Generative grammar was right to focus on the child's acquisition of language as its central problem, leading to the hypothesis of an innate Universal Grammar. However, generative grammar was mistaken in assuming that the syntactic component is the sole course of combinatoriality, and that ever...

Since the publication of Goldberg’s (1995) seminal book Constructions, Construction Grammar (CxG) has become increasingly popular and inspired analyses of a wide range of grammatical constructions in different languages (e.g. Michaelis and Ruppenhofer 2001, Barðdal 2008, Iwata 2008, Boas 2010a). In addition, many of Goldberg’s insights have influenced research in first language acquisition (e.g...

Despite the diversity of contemporary linguistic theory, certain fundamental views enjoy a rough consensus and are widely accepted without serious question. Points of general agreement include the following: (a) language is a self-contained system amenable to algorithmic characterization, with sufficient autonomy to be studied in essential isolation from broader cognitive concerns; (b) grammar ...